What is a notarised power of attorney?

By signing a notarial power of attorney, you offer a person you trust,  for example your partner and/or children, a good friend or a civil-law notary, the opportunity to perform legal acts on your behalf. It is possible to indicate that you only want the power of attorney to take effect when you are no longer able to perform legal acts yourself. However, a power of attorney can only be used if you are alive.

By signing a notarial power of attorney the authorized representative can make use of the power of attorney immediately (or after receipt of a statement from a medical expert) and perform  necessary legal acts on behalf of the grantor. If you have not signed a notarial power of attorney and you are no longer able to look after your financial interests yourself, people around have to start legal proceedings before the courts to place the assets under administration.

One can opt for a general notarial power of attorney, in order to allow the authorized person to perform all legal acts in any area. It is also possible to opt for a limited notarial power of attorney, for example, in order to arrange the transfer of the owner-occupied home, but not other legal acts.